Lose A Dress Size Week # 1 is underway and we thought this would be the perfect time to make sure you are mentally ready to WIN this challenge. The best part of a challenge, is it brings out the competitive spirit in all of us and takes us out of our comfort zone!
We have gathered our top tips from past challenges as well as past participant tips to help you succeed on this one!
Tip # 1: Every Point Matters
This is one of our top tips for almost every challenge and yet participants always leave something out. We give you lots of ways to get points during a challenge though blogs, nutrition appointments, exercise classes and all these points add up at the end of the challenge and they can be the deciding factor when determining the winner!
Tip # 2: Use your Nutrition Appointments To Gain helpful Tips
Get tips and help with new meal plans and recipes. This challenge we have added weekly phases that are designed to help you stay focused and progress through the challenge smoothly.
Tip # 3: Be Open Minded
Don’t be afraid to try new recipes and limits! Be prepared and reday to jump into the challenge. Try the suggested recipes even if you have to add new ingredients you have never had before.
Tip # 4: Track Your Eating
Starting a new challenge is like starting a new program. Tracking your eating, drinking and limits will help to make sure you stay on track as best as possible.
Here are some of our favorite tips from our Paleo Challenge participants:
In order to be successful with this challenge I have decided my pantry has to be as Paleo friendly as possible. I am scouring the recipes on the MCC website and listing the ingredients I need to make up the allowable snacks in advance. Meal planning, that’s the key – Vicky
This is my first MCC challenge but I have kept a food journal before. I find this a very successful tool in keeping you on track. – Candice
I am excited about the challenge because it helps me think “serious”. The weigh-ins and nutrition appointments help me stay focused – Lauire
Your Turn- How will you succeed this Challenge? Let us know what you will do to lose YOUR dress size and succeed during this LADS challenge.
I plan to make my lunch the night before so I can weigh and measure without being rushed in the morning before work….one day in: so far, so good!
The first thing I did was let my family know! I think it’s important that they understand what I’m trying to accomplish so they can support me. Then, I wrote out my food journal for the week and planned a visit to the grocery store. Now, I just need to stay on track – lemon in water, meals for the day, exercise planned, nutrition check-in booked!
This is a great tip Candice! The more support you have the easier it will be to succeed at not only this challenge but any Heath goal!!
This challenge is a great motivator to shed some more weight before the holiday season. A key part of succeeding for me is to be very diligent in keeping the food journal, it helps me stay on top of my portions & snacking. Marcelle
I plan on being consistent with my food log. It’s a great way to stay on track. As well I plan on being prepared every time I leave the house with a packed selection of veggies and a protein with me so I don’t get hungry. Same thing handy and fast to grab in my fridge. I find that if I’m not ahead of my hunger attacks I loss the plot Good luck fellow challengers!!!
I’ve learned that this journey is more about TIME management than anything else : time to purge the unnecessary food items (one cupboard at a time for it to be more manageable), time to exercise (at home daily and at MCC 2x per week), time to meal plan; which is the most difficult one for me. I’m generally a spontaneous person when it comes to meals so planning ahead for them is not my forte. It’s not only WHAT am I going to eat but also WHERE will I be when I will be eating it…therefore what needs to be prepared ahead of time. To me, the nutrition appointments aren’t just about food; they are like mini-life coaching sessions to help me get it together, one step at a TIME.
Wow everyone is hitting on the top keys for support: time, support, focus, personal motivation. The challenge before the holiday season is my favorite, to see people transform as well as build momentum during the most difficult weight loss time. Best of luck to all!
This is my first MCC challenge and I am pumped! Yes, I know we are only in early days but iI am inspired by the energy, support and spirit of the staff, fellow participants and my family. I plan to remind myself everyday with positive affirmations that the effort is worth it. I am taking it one step at a time…..planning seems to be the key. I have all the tools necessary and the motivation of the challenge to enhance my well being. Thank you everyone.
I have tried to plan and shop for this week as best as possible. My friends, family and work colleagues know what I’m doing so they can help me out with the support I need. Also I am trying new recipes which I love to do!
This is my first challenge and I’m pretty excited. Trying to plan as best as possible. Meals and food required are prepared and purchased. Exercise sessions and nutrition session booked. Reading other posts and inspiring yourself with other’s success can be truly motivating. Best of luck to my fellow participants.
I’ve convinced one of the gals that work for me to do this with me. I find it easier to do this when you have someone to bounce ideas off of. I am trying a lot of the recipes also. I’ve booked all my work outs and nutrition appointments ahead as well. All the best to my fellow LADS
Finding a partner is a fantastic idea Lorri! Not only will she be there to bounce ideas off of but she will be there on days where you don’t feel like continuing and give the motivation to succeed!
Focusing on a goal is really helping to keep me motivated.I hung up a pair of jeans one size smaller and I have to look at them every morning.
Just back from vacation and this challenge is probably the best motivation I have to shed those extra vacation pounds! Food journal almost done, shopping to be done and support, support, support!
I have done the LADS challenge before and it is one of my favourites. It’s great to do just before the holiday season as I find I make better choices and it helps keep me on track over the holidays. Remembering how it’s helped me in the past is my motivation to succeed!
I have started by making sure my family knows I am in this challenge and asking for their support. I’m not going to cave in and eat what others are having around me, have to remember to be assertive for me. The next thing was planning all the meals by scouring the recipes, shopping and adapting them to something my Hubby would like ( he is afraid I’m going to be the ‘Food Police’ so this is a hurdle). Also being consistent with my fitness classes and nutrition sessions really keeps me in focus. Its so motivating to talk to others in the challenge at class and trade ideas. I always do better in a group setting.
The food journal keeps me on track and it doesn’t lie, so its the reality check.
I love the advice I get along with the encouragement and great ideas from the nutrition coaching, they are amazing! Excited to do this, good luck everyone!
P.S. Made the key Lime Bites today and it was worth it. Hubby liked them and he is hard to please! 😀
I have found that planning my meals is very helpful! It keeps me on track. I have been preparing meals ahead of time, no frustration on what to eat when.
I went to the grocery store with a list of foods from the recipes. I also have to eat out when at work ie am at a trade show in blue mtn thurs and Friday this week. Their breakfasts were terrible..muffins and croissants so i had to go to Starbucks to get a yogurt. Lunch had lots of salads, veggies and hummus, and took the chicken breast out of the wrap.
This week for the start of the challenge, I was travelling on business. The weekend before, Patsy and I researched places to eat in the area and made a plan of options I could eat and still be following the challenge. Planning ahead like this totally helped out and I was able to keep to the plan, despite not being at home.
I have done the LADS challenge before and looking forward to doing it again! Thinking about how to be successful, I think taking the opportunity to treat yourself during the challenge is important. For example, treat yourself to a facial, pedicure or massage…or all 3 during the challenge! They will take your mind off the challenge and make you feel great!!
This is my first LADS challenge. With the support of my family I will plan the meals in advance and keep track of nutrition and exercise. This going is going to be great!
To succeed I have shared my goal with my wife and family and will count on their support.